The moment your five-year-old spots that shiny toy at the store checkout and declares they “need” it, you realize money conversations can’t wait until they’re teenagers. Kids absorb attitudes about money from every interaction they observe, and by age seven, their basic financial habits are already forming. Teaching children biblical principles about money isn’t just about preventing future financial disasters; it’s about shaping hearts that understand stewardship, generosity, and contentment.
The Bible offers profound wisdom for raising financially responsible kids who see money as a tool for kingdom purposes rather than an end goal. These verses address earning, saving, sharing, spending wisely, and finding contentment regardless of circumstances. Scripture teaches that money is neither evil nor the answer to life’s problems, but a responsibility that requires wisdom, character, and accountability to God.
These passages can spark meaningful conversations around the dinner table, during car rides, or when teachable moments arise naturally in daily life with your children.
Bible Verses for Teaching Kids About Money
1. Proverbs 13:11 – Money Gained Hastily Will Dwindle
Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
New International Version (NIV)
2. 1 Timothy 6:10 – The Love of Money Is a Root of All Evil
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. Proverbs 22:7 – The Borrower Is Servant to the Lender
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
New King James Version (NKJV)
4. Luke 16:10 – Whoever Is Faithful in Very Little
If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. Proverbs 21:5 – The Plans of the Diligent Lead to Profit
The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 – If Anyone Will Not Work, Let Him Not Eat
For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. Ecclesiastes 5:10 – He Who Loves Money Will Not Be Satisfied
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Matthew 6:24 – You Cannot Serve God and Money
No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Luke 12:15 – Life Is Not Made Up of Possessions
Speaking to the people, he went on, “Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.”
The Message (MSG)
10. Proverbs 27:23-24 – Be Sure You Know the Condition of Your Flocks
Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Malachi 3:10 – Bring the Whole Tithe Into the Storehouse
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse so that there may be food in my temple. Test me in this matter,” says the Lord who rules over all, “to see if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until there is no room for it.
New English Translation (NET)
12. Proverbs 6:6-8 – Go to the Ant, You Sluggard
Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise. Without leader, administrator, or ruler, she prepares her food in the summer; she gathers her provision in the harvest.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 – Godliness with Contentment Is Great Gain
Religion does make your life rich, by making you content with what you have. We didn’t bring anything into this world, and we won’t take anything with us when we leave. So we should be satisfied just to have food and clothes.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. Hebrews 13:5 – Keep Your Lives Free from the Love of Money
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.”
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. Luke 14:28 – Count the Cost Before Building
If one of you wants to build a tower, you will first sit down and decide how much it will cost, to see if you have enough money to finish the job.
New Century Version (NCV)
16. Proverbs 11:24-25 – One Gives Freely, Yet Grows All the Richer
One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives water will himself be given water.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Matthew 25:14-15 – The Parable of the Talents
For it is like a man going on a journey. He called his servants and handed over his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one—each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. Philippians 4:19 – My God Will Meet All Your Needs
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
19. Proverbs 3:9-10 – Honor the Lord with Your Wealth
Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase: so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
World English Bible (WEB)
20. 2 Corinthians 9:7 – God Loves a Cheerful Giver
Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21. Matthew 6:19-21 – Store Up Treasures in Heaven
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
22. Proverbs 13:22 – A Good Man Leaves an Inheritance
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
New American Bible (NAB)
23. Ecclesiastes 11:1 – Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters
Cast thy bread vpon the waters: for after many dayes thou shalt finde it.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
24. Luke 6:38 – Give, and It Will Be Given to You
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.
English Revised Version (ERV)
25. Proverbs 28:20 – A Faithful Man Will Abound with Blessings
A stedfast man aboundeth with blessings, And whoso is hasting to be rich is not innocent.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
26. 1 Corinthians 16:2 – Set Aside a Sum of Money
On the first day of the week let each one of you put by at home, laying up as he may have prospered, that there may be no collections when I come.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
27. Proverbs 15:27 – He Who Is Greedy for Gain Troubles His Own House
He who is greedy of gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
28. Deuteronomy 8:18 – Remember the Lord Your God
But thou schalt haue mynde of thi Lord God, that he yaf strengthis to thee, that he schulde fille his couenaunt, of which he swoor to thi fadris, as this present dai schewith.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
29. Proverbs 14:23 – In All Labor There Is Profit
In all labour there is abundance: but the talke of the lippes bringeth onely want.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
30. Acts 20:35 – It Is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive
I haue shewed you all thinges, how that so labouryng ye ought to support the weake, and to remember the wordes of the Lord Iesu, howe he sayde: It is more blessed to geue, then to receaue.
Bishop’s Bible
31. 1 Timothy 5:8 – Provide for Your Relatives
If there be eny that provideth not for his awne and namly for them of his housholde the same denyeth the fayth and ys worsse then an infydell.
Tyndale Bible
32. Philippians 4:11-13 – I Have Learned to Be Content
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.
The Living Bible (TLB)
33. Proverbs 10:4 – Lazy Hands Make for Poverty
Slacker hands make you poor, but hardworking hands make you rich.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
34. Romans 13:8 – Let No Debt Remain Outstanding
Don’t owe anyone anything, except your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
35. Proverbs 17:16 – Why Should a Fool Have Money?
What good is it for a foolish person to have money to buy wisdom? They don’t have the sense to get it.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Money and Kids
Teaching kids biblical money principles goes far beyond just avoiding financial mistakes later in life. Scripture presents money as a character-shaping tool that reveals our hearts and priorities. When children learn to earn through age-appropriate chores, they develop a work ethic and understand that money represents time and effort. When they practice giving first before spending, they learn that generosity isn’t an afterthought but a primary response to God’s provision.
The Bible’s approach to money education is refreshingly practical. It doesn’t spiritualize poverty or demonize wealth, but emphasizes wisdom, stewardship, and eternal perspective. Kids who grow up understanding that everything belongs to God develop gratitude instead of entitlement. They learn to hold possessions loosely and find security in God’s character rather than their bank account balance.
Biblical money management also teaches children about delayed gratification, planning, and the consequences of choices. These skills transfer to every area of life and help them make decisions based on wisdom rather than impulse or peer pressure.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for entrusting us with children and the privilege of shaping their hearts and minds. We ask for wisdom as we teach them about money and possessions. Help us model generosity, contentment, and wise stewardship in our own financial decisions so our kids can see these principles lived out authentically.
Give our children understanding hearts that see money as a tool for Your purposes rather than a source of security or identity. Teach them the joy of giving, the satisfaction of earning through honest work, and the peace that comes from trusting You as their provider. Protect them from both the love of money and the fear of not having enough.
Help them learn patience in saving, wisdom in spending, and boldness in being generous. May they grow up with grateful hearts that recognize every good gift comes from You. Use their relationship with money to develop character, compassion, and an eternal perspective that values relationships and kingdom work above material possessions.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.